Gel based livestock feed, method of manufacture and use

ABSTRACT

A method of making a gel-type livestock feed includes initially forming a feed mixture by mixing feed nutrient components, water, alginate, and a calcium component insoluble in water or a sequestrate to inhibit the calcium component from reacting with the alginate. Once the feed mixture is formed, the calcium component is solubilized or the sequestrates affecting the reactivity between the alginate and the calcium component is removed such that a gel feed is formed that includes a gel matrix containing the feed nutrient components. The gel feed may then be fed to the livestock. In another aspect of the present invention, piglets are weaned by feeding the gel feed for at least seven days directly after weaning. The gel feed may also include protein derived from blood with or without egg protein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a method of feeding livestock and inparticular feeding swine. It also involves a novel composition of a gelfeed and a method of manufacturing such a gel feed.

There are many situations in which a feed and a supply of water are bothneeded but are difficult to provide or providing both results in extraexpense. For example, when livestock are being transported it isdifficult and expensive to maintain a supply of water for suchlivestock. In addition, there are situations in the life of an animalwhere the animal has not much interest in consuming feed but hasparticular nutritional needs. For example, transitional stages such asweaning pose nutritional problems since the young animal has to learnhow to consume solid food. It is sometimes difficult for the younganimal to get accustomed to nourishment other than by suckling. Earlyweaning provides advantages relating to avoidance of diseases andincreased weight gain. However, care is needed in early weaning toensure that the young animal consumes sufficient nutrients.

Sows also require special nutritional needs just prior to and afterfarrowing. Proper nutrient intake is needed by the sow for the growth ofdeveloping fetuses, the sow's own body needs (body maintenance), forlactation and minimizing any feed intake depression by the sow afterfarrowing.

Growing and finishing pigs on occasion also have special nutrientrequirements which may be due to any number of factors such as diseasesand environmental factors. Diseases and environmental factors may affectnutritional intake which in turn have an affect on profitability for theswine farmer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a method of making a gel-type feed forlivestock. The method includes initially forming a feed mixture bymixing feed nutrient components, water, alginate, a calcium componentinsoluble in water or a sequestrate to inhibit the calcium componentfrom reacting with the alginate. Once the feed mixture is formed, thecalcium component is solubilized or the sequestrate's affect on thereactivity between the alginate and the calcium component is removedsuch that a gel feed is formed that includes a gel matrix containing thefeed nutrient components.

The present invention also includes a method of feeding the gel feed tolivestock made according to the method of this invention.

In another aspect of the present invention, piglets are weaned byfeeding the gel feed containing the nutrients for at least seven daysdirectly after weaning.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the gel livestock feedincludes an alginate based gel matrix in which water is the majorcomponent and protein derived from blood, such as plasma or serum. Inanother aspect, egg protein may be substituted or combined with theblood derived protein.

The present invention also includes a method of providing water toconfined livestock by providing to the confined livestock its dailyrequirements of water by feeding the confined livestock a gel feedwherein water is the major component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a nutrient containing palatable shelfstable feed in a gel matrix whose major component is water. The gel feedprovides livestock with both a feed component and a water component toan extent that no additional water external of the feed is needed forthe livestock's sustenance. By livestock is meant agricultural or farmanimals such as swine, horses, cattle, sheep or goats raised in a farm,ranch or agricultural setting or animals kept in zoos or zoologicalsettings.

Alternatively, the gel may be used along without any nutrients solely asa water source. Providing water to swine that are confined such as beingtransported individually in pens or in a truck trailer without pens isdifficult at best. Providing water in solid form eliminates spillage dueto vehicle movement or animal collisions.

In addition, the gel feed of the present invention may be used as adelivery system for medication such as antibiotics and chemotherapeuticsor for microbial supplements such as probiotics and nutraceuticals. Whenused as a delivery system for medication, the medication may be the soleconstituent in the gel. Examples of antibiotics approved for swineinclude apramycin, bacitracin methylene disacylate, bacitracic zinc,bambermycins, chlortetracycline, lincomycin, neomycin, oxytetracycline,penicillin, tiamulin, tylosin, and virginiamycin. Chemotherapeuticsapproved for swine include arsanilic acid, carbodox, roxarsone,sulfamethazine and sulfathiazole. Other medication for swine are wellknown and are within the scope of the present invention.

The consistency of the gel-type feed of the present invention may rangefrom a soft gel having the consistency of pudding to a harder gel havingthe consistency of a gel candy such as Gummy Bears®. The gel can bedescribed as a hydrogel that is a colloidal gel in which water is adispersion medium. One consideration in the consistency of the gel isthat the gel not stick to the feeding animal. Gel that sticks to theswine poses two problems. The first problem relates to the cleanlinessof the animal and to the pen in which the animal is contained. The otherproblem is waste of feed, since the animal cannot consume the feed thatsticks to its face and other parts of the body that are not reachable bythe animal's mouth. It is not very important as to how hard the gel isand in most situations, preferably the major component will be water. Bymajor component is meant that the weight percent of water is higher thanany other component in the gel feed.

The composition of the gel feed of the present invention is as follows:

TABLE 1 Approximate Weight Percent Component On a Wet Basis Protein 2-25 Carbohydrate  3-40 Fat  0-10 Fiber Less than 2 Water 25-90

Suitable sources for protein useful in the composition of the presentinvention include both animal and plant based protein. A non-exhaustivelist of animal based protein includes meat meal, meat and bone meal,blood meal, red blood cells, dried porcine solubles, hydrolyzed feathermeal, fish meal, dried milk, plasma and serum protein, poultryby-product meal, dried whey, whey protein concentrate and eggs. Suitableconcentration of plasma and/or a serum protein in gel feed is about 0-25wt. % and a suitable concentration of egg is about 0-15%. Anon-exhaustive list of plant based protein includes alfalfa meal, canolaseed meal, rice protein, coconut meal (copra), wheat gluten, potatoprotein, cotton seed meal, linseed meal (flax), peanut meal, safflowermeal, sesame meal, soybean meal, soybean proteins and sunflower meal andother oil seed meals.

Sources for carbohydrates useful in the present invention include sorgumflour, ground rice, rice flour, ground corn, oat products, wheat, groundsorgum, or starch from any suitable grain such as wheat, oats, barley,and triticale, or tubers such as tapioca, and potato. Lactose, dextrin,sucrose, fructose and other simple sugars are also suitablecarbohydrates.

Fat useful in the present invention may come from both plant or animalsources. Some fat may be the result of inclusion in the protein orcarbohydrate source. However, additional fat may be added and istypically a rendered product such as a blended fat (animal and vegetableblends), or may be a poultry fat or tallow or a vegetable source such assoybean oil, corn oil, canola oil, coconut oil, olive oil and the like.Fat is necessary as a source of energy and also in the assimilation ofcertain vitamins that may be added to the feed of the present invention.

Fiber useful in the present invention is dietary fiber. Principalsources of dietary fiber are the same plant sources that provide proteinand/or carbohydrates. If additional dietary fiber is needed, it may beobtained from such typical sources as soybean hulls or psyllium.

In addition to the nutrients discussed above, it may be desirable toprovide additional supplementation of vitamins and minerals depending onthe needs of the particular animal.

One gelling agent used in the present invention is a gum which bindswith water and is capable of forming a matrix in which the feedcomponents (nutrients discussed previously) are retained. Examples ofsuitable gums include agar, alginate, carrageenan, gum Arabic, ghatti,tragacanth, pectin, guar, Gelan, Carboxy Methylcellulose and locus bean.In the case of alginate, about 0.25 to 1.5 weight percent alginate ofthe feed components (excluding water) is necessary to form the gel.Other types of gels are also includable within the present invention,including those based on carbohydrates other than gums such as thestarches including sorghum flour, ground rice, rice flour, groundextruded corn, ground sorghum, wheat and sugars including dextrin andsucrose. Other gelling agents that may be useful in the presentinvention include pectin, chitin, and gelatin based on animal protein.

The gel of the present invention is preferably a cold set gel, however,a gel made by heating the gum in water such as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,217,740 which is hereby incorporated by reference is includedwithin the present invention. In the specific embodiment discussedherein, the gel feed is not made through the use of an external heatsource. Initially, the protein, carbohydrate, fat and fiber componentsand any other nutrients, vitamins, minerals or other supplements alongwith the gum and a source of calcium are mixed in water according toselected portions within the ranges of Table 1. The portions chosen areengineered for the particular animal and the particular period in thelifecycle of the animal. For example, piglets during and after weaningwould require different portions of the components listed in Table 1 ascompared to a sow during gestation.

Preferably, the source of calcium is insoluble with water or includes asequestrant that inhibits the calcium from reacting with the alginate sothat an immediate gel does not form. Gels formed through the reactionbetween calcium and alginate are well known. The propensity for alginateto form a gel and the difficulty of forming an appropriate gel are alsowell known. The method of the present invention in forming the gelprovides for a controlled formation of alginate gel. The use ofsequestrants or the use of acids to control alginate gel formation inthe presence of calcium for use in human food is known.

Preferably, the source of calcium is a calcium salt which is initiallyinsoluble but may be made soluble. One calcium salt suitable in thepresent invention is dicalcium phosphate. Dicalcium phosphate isvirtually insoluble in water at a pH of 6 or above. Other calcium saltssuitable for use include calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate, calciumiodate, calcium oxide, calcium sulfate.

Once the mixture is mixed, the pH is lowered. Preferably citric,fumaric, or propionic acid are used alone or in combination with otherorganic acids. Other organic or mineral acids or acidulents suitable inlowering the pH are included within the present invention. Once the pHis lowered below about pH 4.5, the gel of the present invention forms.

The strength of an alginate based gel depends on a number of factorsincluding calcium levels, pH and the type of alginate used. Varying thecalcium content, or varying the type of alginate used or adjusting thepH can create gels of different gel strength. Low calcium availability,either due to pH or low calcium concentration, may form a soft gel. Alow pH may result in a harder gel. Water hardness may also have aneffect on the formation of the alginate gel depending on the calciumcarbonate content of the water.

The alginate based gel of the present invention may be made in either abatch or continuous manner. If made in a batch, the nutrients, alginate,dicalcium phosphate and water are mixed together. An organic acid isthen added to lower pH to a selected level upon which the gel forms.However, mineral acids are also suitable for addition. For production ina continuous fashion, again a batch of nutrients with alginate,dicalcium phosphate and water are mixed initially in a tank. In a secondtank, water and the acids are mixed. These two mixtures are then pumpedthrough an outlet line and mixed via an in line static mixer tocontinuously form the gel.

One particularly useful situation for the present invention includesproviding nutrients to piglets during weaning. Weaning presents manychallenges to the young pig. These challenges include an abrupt changefrom a liquid to a solid diet that contains ingredients that may notinitially be easily digestible to the young pig. In addition, the youngpig is presented with a new social structure. Combined, these effectsdisrupt nutrient intake that is necessary to maintain gut integrity.Such disruptions affect growth performance and are further exacerbatedby an immature immune system which creates susceptibility to digestiveupsets or diarrhea or both.

Research has shown that only 50% of the piglets drink water during thefirst 24 hours postweaning (Varley and Stockill, 2001).

During the first five days after weaning, water intake by the young pigfluctuates independently of apparent physiological need and water intakedoes not seem to be related to growth, feed intake or severity ofdiarrhea. (McLeese et al. 1992). After the fifth day, however, it seemsthat water intake follows a more consistent pattern that parallelsgrowth and feed intake. It has been speculated that during the first fewdays after weaning, water consumption may be high as a consequence of aneed for gut fill to obtain a sense of satiety in the absence of feedintake. Voluntary feed of early-weaned pigs fed dry diets during thefirst few days after weaning is often limited. Evidence suggests thatgrowth rate of early-weaned pigs is largely limited by feed intakerather than growth potential. Pluske (1993) reported that the weanlingpig does not meet the maintenance requirements until the 5^(th) dayafter weaning at 21 days of age.

The gel product of the present invention provides the young piglet notonly with the required nutrient intake but also with the appropriatewater requirement. Utilizing the gel feed of the present invention,piglets surprisingly started eating the gel feed of the presentinvention almost immediately after weaning. Preferably, a gel-type feedfor young piglets includes a high quality protein source such as spraydried plasma protein. It has been shown that spray dried plasma proteinhelps to improve performance during the first 7 to 14 days after weaningand during periods of stress for young pigs. It appears that plasmaprotein has biological functions beyond its nutritional qualities.

The present invention is more particularly described in the followingexamples that are intended as illustrations only since numerousmodifications and variations within the scope of the present inventionwill be apparent to those skilled in the art.

EXAMPLE 1

A total of 57 weaning pigs averaging 13.3 lb body weight were used in a35-day growth trial. Some of the piglets were fed a gel based feed inwhich the gel matrix was a starch (Soft Set™ starch obtained from StaleyMfg. Co., of Decatur, Ill.). A control (no gel) feed along with two gelfeeds, each gel feed containing a different protein source (Solutein™ orAppetein™ obtained from American Protein Corp of Ames, Iowa) were usedin the trial. Appetein™ is a plasma based protein while Solutein™ is aserum based protein. The formulation for the gel containing Solutein™ islisted in Table 2 below while the gel containing Appetein™ is listed inTable 3 below.

TABLE 2 Ingredient Dry wt. % Lbs. Solutein ™ 14.4000 1.44 Sucrose19.6388 1.96 Sodium Chloride 0.4000 0.04 Citric Acid Anhydrous 2.00000.20 Fumaric Acid 4.0000 0.40 Potassium Sorbate 4.0000 0.40 PropionicAcid 2.0000 0.20 Dicalcium Phosphate 3.2000 0.32 Choline Chloride 60%0.3897 0.04 Luctarom LS₁ 1.2000 0.12 Soft Set Starch 40.0000 4.00Mineral Pmx 2₂ 2.3120 0.23 Vit Pmx 1₂ 3.3796 0.34 Copper Sulfate 0.07990.01 Animal Fat 3.0000 0.30 ¹Lucta, S.A., Spain ²Land O'Lakes, Inc.,Arden Hills, MN

TABLE 3 Ingredient Dry wt. % Lbs. Plasma Protein 14.4000 1.44(Appetein ™) Sucrose 19.6388 1.96 Sodium Chloride 0.4000 0.04 CitricAcid Anhydrous 2.0000 0.20 Fumaric Acid 4.0000 0.40 Potassium Sorbate4.0000 0.40 Propionic Acid 2.0000 0.20 Dicalcium Phosphate 3.2000 0.32Choline Chloride 60% 0.3897 0.04 Luctarom LS₁ 1.2000 0.12 Soft SetStarch 40.0000 4.00 Mineral Pmx 2₂ 2.3120 0.23 Vit Pmx 1₂ 3.3796 0.34Copper Sulfate 0.0799 0.01 Animal Fat 3.0000 030 ¹Lucta, S.A., Spain²Land O'Lakes, Inc., Arden Hills, MN

The dry ingredients in the formulations listed in Tables 2 and 3 wereblended in a 5-quart KitchenAid Mixer. Propionic acid and water (3 partswater to 1 part of the listed ingredients in Tables 2 and 3) wereblended in five gallon buckets utilizing a Myers Mixer mixing the liquidcontents for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, the dry mix was added and thedry and liquid ingredient mixture were blended for an additional threeminutes. Five batches of each formulation (Solutein™ and Appetein™) weremade.

At weaning, pigs were sorted by weight, and divided into six weightgroups (blocks). Dietary treatments were randomly assigned to pens (3-4pigs per pen) within each of the weight groups (blocks, 6replication/treatment). Pens within a block had the same number of pigs.Three dietary treatments were evaluated and consisted of the following:

TABLE 4 3 2 Starch based 1 Starch based gel with Control gel withAppetein ™ TRT (no gel) Solutein ™ (plasma protein) Days 0-4 Pellet dietTeam Lean Team Lean Team Lean 10-15 10-15 10-15 Gel type None Solutein ™Appetein ™ Days 4-7 Pellet diet Team Lean Team Lean Team Lean 10-1510-15 10-15 Gel type None 50:50 mix 50:50 mix (gel with (gel withSolutein ™: Appetein ™: Team Lean Team Lean 10-15) 10-15) Days 7-21Pellet diet Team Lean Team Lean Team Lean 14-20 14-20 14-20 Days 21-35Pellet diet Team Lean Team Lean Team Lean 25-50 25-50 25-50 Team Lean10-15 is a dry pelleted feed formula ion from Purina Mills of St. Louis,MO. Team Lean 14-20 is a dry pelleted feed formula ion from Purina Millsof St. Louis, MO. Team Lean 25-50 is a dry pelleted feed formula ionfrom Purina Mills of St. Louis, MO.

Team Lean 10-15 pellets were fed for 7 days, Team Lean 14-20 pellets andTeam Lean 25-50 pellets were fed for 14 days each. All pellets were fedin metal feeders attached to pen gates. Gel feeds were fed from days 0to 4 postweaning in creep feeders, and a mix (50:50) of gel and dry feed(Team Lean 10-15 pellets) was fed from days 4 to 7 postweaning in creepfeeders.

Pigs were housed in a conventional nursery facility in pens with anipple waterer, four-hole feeder, and plastic grate flooring. Pigs hadad libitum access to feed and water. Pig body weight and feed intake(both gel feed and pellet) were determined at days 0, 4, 7, 14, 21, and35 postweaning to evaluate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feedintake (ADFI), and feed:gain ratio. Gel feed intake was measured duringthe first week postweaning. In addition, fecal color and consistencyscores were taken twice a week.

Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with pen as theexperimental unit and blocks based on initial body weight. Meanseparation for significant treatment effects was accomplished by leastsignificant difference (LSD) procedures.

TABLE 5 TRT 2 TRT 3 TRT 1 with with Gel Feed None Solutein ™ Appetein ™SE (1) (2) (3) ADG Day 0-7 0.390 0.450 0.434 0.0988 — — — ADG Day 7-140.718 0.719 0.880 0.0709 — — .14 ADG Day 14-21 1.02^(a) 1.17^(b)1.12^(b) 0.0288 .01 .01 — ADG Day 21-35 1.26 1.34 1.34 0.0335 — .10 —ADG 0-Final 0.930 1.003 1.022 0.0388 — .11 — Dry gel intake Day 0 to 4,lb/hd/d 0 0.169 0.154 0.0569 — .03 — Day 4 to 7, lb/hd/d 0 0.090 0.0710.0073 .13 .03 — Day 0 to 7, lb/hd/d 0 0.135 0.119 0.0055 .09 .03Pellets lb/hd/d, Day 0-7 0.43^(a) 0.647^(b) 0.627^(ab) 0.0636 .07 .03ADFI Day 7-14 lb 0.864 0.948 1.016 0.0819 — — — ADFI Day 14-21 lb1.22^(a) 1.38^(b) 1.39^(b) 0.0414 .03 .01 — ADFI Day 21-35 lb 1.80 1.961.91 0.0585 .20 .09 — ADFI Day 0-35 lb 1.22^(a) 1.40^(b) 1.40^(b) 0.0563.08 .03 Gain/Feed Day 0-7 lb 0.879 0.677 0.615 0.0883 .14 .06 —Gain/Feed Day 7-14 lb 0.822 0.762 0.871 0.0582 — — — Gain/Feed Day 14-21lb 0.822 0.840 0.796 0.0148 .17 — .07 Gain/Feed Day 21-35 lb 0.706 0.6850.700 0.0147 — — — Gain/Feed Day 0-35 lb 0.759 0.729 0.738 0.0121 .20.10 — Initial Weight lb 13.3 13.3 13.3 0.019 — — — 4 Day Weight lb 14.414.7 14.9 0.369 — — — 7 Day Weight lb 16.0 16.4 16.3 0.692 — — — 14 DayWeight lb 21.0 21.5 22.5 1.00 — — — 21 Day Weight lb 28.1 29.6 30.3 1.14— — — 35 Day Weight lb 45.8 48.4 49.1 1.37 — .11 — PR > F if <.10 for(1) Geltype (2) Standard vs Gel (3) Solutein ™ vs Plasma Values intreatment columns are simple arithmetic mean values and mean values inthe same row not followed by a common letter differ (P < .05) using LSDprocedure.

No significant differences (P>0.1) were observed in ADG among treatmentgroups during days 0 to 7 and 7 to 14 postweaning (Table 5). Pigs fedgel feeds, however, had numerically greater ADG than pigs not fed gelfeed. During days 14 to 21 and 21 to 35 postweaning, pigs fed the gelfeeds continued to have greater (P<0.1) ADG than pigs receiving no gelfeed. Similarly, during the overall 35 day trial period, pigs fed thegel feed tended to have greater (P<0.11) ADG than those not receivingthe gel feeds. By day 35 postweaning, pigs fed the Solutein™ andAppetein™ containing gel were 2.6 and 3.3 lb heavier, respectively thanthose not receiving the gel feed.

Gel feed also containing Solutein™ intake was similar to gel feedcontaining Appetein™ intake during days 0 to 4, 4 to 7, and 0 to 7postweaning. During days 0 to 7, ADFI of pellets was greater (P<0.03) inpigs fed the gel feed than in those not receiving the gel feed. This isprobably an indication of some dry feed wastage when the pellets weremixed with the gel feed. During days 7 to 14, pigs fed the gel feed hadnumerically greater ADFI than those receiving no gel feed. During days14 to 21, 21 to 35 and 0 to 35, pigs receiving the gel feed continued tohave greater (P<0.1) ADFI.

During days 0 to 7 postweaning, pigs fed the gel feeds had lower(P<0.06) gain:feed ratio than those not receiving the gel feed. This isprobably an indication of some dry feed wastage when the pellets weremixed with the gel feed. No significant differences were observed ingain:feed ratio among treatment groups during days 7 to 14, 14 to 21 and21 to 35 postweaning.

No significant differences in fecal color score and consistency wereobserved among treatment groups.

The results of this trial indicate that feeding a gel feed containingSolutein™ or Appetein™ (plasma protein) during the first week afterweaning improved performance of nursery pigs. Improvements in gain weremore evident in later phases which may suggest that gel feed intakeduring the first week after weaning may have a carry-over effect throughthe rest of the nursery period. By the end of the trial, pigs fed thegel feed containing Solutein™ and plasma protein were 2.6 and 3.3 lbheavier, respectively, than those not receiving the gel feed.

EXAMPLE 2

A total of 270 weaning pigs averaging 10.5 lb body weight were used in a35-day growth trial. At weaning, pigs were sorted by weight, and dividedinto eleven weight groups (blocks). Each weight block had 20 or 25piglets of as equal weight as possible. Five different dietarytreatments were randomly assigned to each of the pens in each weightblock. Each pen contained four or five piglets. The schedule of thedietary treatments is shown in Table 6 below:

TABLE 6 4 Alginate 5 2 3 Based Gel Based Alginate Alginate Gel with on 2Treatment Based Gel Based Plasma Alginate Gel Type 1 with Gel withprotein Types with (day 0-7) None Solutein ™ Plasma and egg Solutein ™Dry Feed (pellets) Lean Metrics I I I I I Infant₁ (I) (Day 0-7) LeanMetrics J J J J J Junior₁ (J) (Day 7-21) Lean Metrics S S S S S Senior₁(S) (Day 21-35) ₁Dry feed pellets were produced at local feed mill andcomposition of pellets was according to Lean Metrics Starter Program ofPurina Mills LLC. of St. Louis, MO.

The gel feeds for the four treatments in Table 6 above were mixed usinga batch process. The composition of each of the treatments is indicatedin Table 7 below. Initially, water, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, xanthangum, alginate dicalcium phosphate and potassium sorbate were mixedtogether for about 2½ minutes in the proportions listed in Table 7below. Treatment 5 (Table 6) utilized two alginate-types to form thegel. Then fat, vitamins and minerals, Luctarom®, and sucrose were mixedalong with either dried animal plasma, Solutein™, or dried animal plasmaand dried whole egg. The mixture was then mixed for one minute.

Each treatment was poured into five gallon buckets. While stirring themixture in each of the five gallon buckets using a lab Myers mixer,fumaric acid, propionic acid and citric acid in the proportions listedin Table 7 were added until the mixture started to gel (about 15seconds). Gel formation occurred in about five minutes.

TABLE 7 Gel Gel with 2 Gel with Alginate Gel with with Plasma types withIngredient Solutein ™ Plasma Egg Solutein ™ LOL STARTER 0.0525 0.05250.0525 0.0525 MINERAL PX₁ LOL STARTER 0.0175 0.0175 0.0175 0.0175VITAMIN PX₁ DRY LUCTAROM 0.075 0.075 0.075 0.075 (FLAVOR)₂ KELTROL- 0.20.2 0.2 0.2 XANTHAN GUM₃ CITRIC ACID 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 ANHYDROUS FUMARICACID 1 1 1 1 PROPIONIC ACID 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 MANUGEL GMB- 1 1 1 0.5ALGINATE₄ MANUCOL DH- — — — 0.5 ALGINATE₄ OATMEAL 10.84 9.4525 9.452510.84 ANIMAL PLASMA- — 4.5 3 — DRIED DRIED WHOLE — — 1.5 — EGGSOLUTEIN ™ 4 — — 4 DICALCIUM 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 PHOSPHATE SALT 0.1 0.10.1 0.1 SUCROSE 4.7 5.5875 5.5875 4.7 ANIMAL FAT 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75WATER 75 75 75 75 CHOLINE 0.025 0.025 0.025 0.025 CHLORIDE 60% COPPERSULFATE 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 POTASSIUM 1 1 1 1 SORBATE TETRASODIUM 0.050.05 0.05 0.05 PYROHOSPHATE ₁Land O'Lakes, Inc., Arden Hills, MN ₂Lucta,S.A., Spain ₃Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO ₄International SpecialtyProducts, Wayne, New Jersey

Pigs had ad libitum access to pelleted diets in metal feeders which werelocated on pen gates in each pen. Gel feeds for treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5were fed in round pan type creep feeders added to each pen in which thepiglets were to be subjected to a gel-type feed. The gel feed was fed adlibitum and gel feed was added later each day if all the gel feed inthat pen was consumed. The piglets also had unlimited access to water.In treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5, dry feed (pellets) was added to the gelfeed on days 3-7. On day 3, 0.1 pounds of dry feed was added per poundof gel feed. On day 4, 0.5 pounds of dry feed was added per pound of gelfeed. On days 5, 6 and 7, 1 pound of dry feed was added per 1 pound ofgel feed. Gel feed intake ended in all treatments after Day 7.

Pig body weight and feed intake (gel feed and pellet) were determined atinitiation and days 7, 14, 21, and 35 postweaning to evaluate averagedaily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed:gain ratio.In addition, fecal color and consistency scores were taken twice a week.

Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with pen as theexperimental unit and blocks based on initial body weight. (See Table 8)The effects of initial weight (less than 10 lb and greater than 10 lb),gel type, and initial weight×gel type were evaluated.

TABLE 8 P > F if < .20 Gel Less than 10 lb Body Weight Greater than 10lb Body Weight Size Feed Plasma Solutein Plasma Solutein v. v. No Solu-and and 2 Solu- and and 2 Treat- treat- Gel Gel Type None tein Plasmaegg alginates None tein Plasma egg alginates SE ments₁ ment₂ Feed₃ Week1 ADG, lb 0.202 0.285 0.201 0.318 0.235 0.391 0.360 0.338 0.388 0.3250.020 0.04 — — ADFI 0.214 0.162 0.093 0.201 0.194 0.423 0.251 0.2000.303 0.240 0.023 0.01 0.19 0.01 (pellet) only) Dry gel, lb — 0.1700.200 0.184 0.146 — 0.188 0.233 0.183 0.179 0.017 0.05 — 0.01 Wet gel,lb — 0.679 0.798 0.735 0.583 — 0.752 0.932 0.733 0.717 0.068 0.05 — 0.01Pellet in — 0.294 0.315 0.306 0.241 — 0.303 0.318 0.299 0.299 0.01260.09 — 0.01 mix, lb Week 2 ADG, lb 0.321 0.318 0.322 0.358 0.391 0.5820.567 0.509 0.587 0.508 0.0203 — 0.11 — ADFI 0.403 0.412 0.394 0.4080.448 0.607 0.543 0.535 0.563 0.537 0.018 — — — (pellet) Feed: 1.2741.298 1.279 1.162 1.153 1.045 0.971 1.066 0.973 1.076 0.038 — — — gainWeek 3 ADG, lb 0.594 0.809 0.712 0.798 0.847 0.937 0.975 0.968 0.9500.900 0.0357 0.12 0.07 0.01 ADFI 0.742 0.914 0.821 0.897 0.954 1.1731.171 1.086 1.101 1.079 0.029 0.18 0.02 0.18 (pellet) Feed: 1.252 1.1341.175 1.123 1.154 1.255 1.205 1.157 1.152 1.200 0.0423 — — 0.06 gainWeeks 3-5 ADG, lb 0.844 0.941 0.902 0.938 0.963 1.201 1.197 1.266 1.2271.095 0.0342 — 0.13 — ADFI 1.091 1.261 1.175 1.237 1.257 1.624 1.5871.664 1.626 1.439 0.036 — 0.01 — (pellet) Feed: 1.292 1.339 1.302 1.3191.307 1.352 1.328 1.312 1.325 1.319 0.015 — — — gain Weeks 0-5 ADG, lb0.561 0.659 0.608 0.670 0.680 0.863 0.859 0.869 0.876 0.784 0.0187 0.190.01 0.07 ADFI 0.708 0.802 0.732 0.796 0.822 1.09 1.028 1.030 1.0440.947 0.0201 — 0.01 — (pellet) Feed: 1.260 1.290 1.300 1.267 1.267 1.2641.257 1.257 1.248 1.272 0.0131 — — — gain Pig Weight, lb Initial 8.518.52 8.51 8.52 8.52 12.13 12.14 12.14 12.13 12.14 0.002 Week 1 9.9310.52 9.92 10.74 10.16 14.86 14.65 14.51 14.85 14.41 0.144 0.05 — — Week2 12.17 12.74 12.17 13.25 12.90 18.94 18.62 18.07 18.95 17.97 0.218 0.040.13 — Week 3 16.33 18.40 17.16 18.84 18.83 25.50 25.45 24.84 25.6024.27 0.329 0.03 0.01 0.05 Week 5 28.14 31.58 29.78 31.97 32.31 42.3242.20 42.56 42.78 39.59 0.654 0.19 0.01 0.07 ₁Treatment effect ₂Initialweight (greater than 10 lb versus less than 10 lb) × treatmentinteraction effect. ₃No gel versus gel during the first week oftreatment

During the first week postweaning, numeric improvements in ADG wereobserved in pigs weighing initially less than 10 lb and fed a gel feedduring the first week. No improvements in ADG, however, were observed inpigs weighing greater than 10 lb. During week 2, no significantdifferences were observed in ADG among treatment groups. During week 3,weeks 3-5, and during the overall 5-week trial period, a gel feedimproved ADG of nursery pigs initially weighing less than 10 lb, but hadlittle effect on pigs initially weighing greater than 10 lb at (initialwt×gel interaction, P=0.07, P=0.13, and P=0.01, respectively). Gelintake during the first week after weaning had a carry-over effectthrough the rest of the nursery period. By the end of the trial, pigsweighing less than 10 lb and receiving the gel feed of treatments 2, 3,4 and 5 were 3.44, 1.64, 3.83, and 4.17 lb, respectively heavier thanpigs receiving no gel.

During the first week postweaning, pigs given gel feed consumed less(P<0.01) dry feed (pellets) than those not receiving the gel feed. Pigsreceiving the gel feed with plasma consumed more gel feed but consumedless dry feed (pellets). Pigs receiving the 2 alginate-type gel feedwith Solutein™ consumed less gel feed. No significant differences(P>0.1) were observed in ADFI among treatment groups during week 2.

A significant initial weight×gel type interaction (P<0.05) was observedin ADFI during week 3, weeks 3-5, and weeks 0-5. During week 3, pigsweighing <10 lb at weaning and receiving the gel containing Solutein™,plasma and egg, or the Solutein™ plus 2 alginates consumed more (P<0.05)dry feed (pellets) than those not receiving the gel feed. During weeks3-5, pigs weighing <10 lb at weaning and receiving the Solutein™ or theSolutein™ plus 2 alginates gel consumed greater amounts (P<0.05) of dryfeed than those receiving no gel. Pigs weighing >10 lb at weaning andreceiving the Solutein™ plus 2 alginates gel consumed less (P<0.05) dryfeed than those not receiving the gel. Similarly, during weeks 0-5, pigsweighing <10 lb at weaning and consuming the Solutein™, plasma plus eggor the Solutein™ plus 2 alginates gel consumed more dry feed (P<0.05)than those not receiving the gel. Pigs weighing >10 lb at weaning andfed the Solutein™ plus 2 alginates gel consumed less dry feed (P<0.05)than those fed the other treatments.

No significant differences were observed in feed:gain ratio amongtreatments during week 2, week 3, week 3-5, or weeks 0-5. During week 3,however, pigs fed gel feed during week 1 (treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5) hadimproved feed:gain compared to those receiving no gel feed (P<0.1).

The results of this trial indicate that feeding any of the gel feeds(treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5) during the first week after weaning improvedperformance of nursery pigs weighing less than 10 lb at weaning, but hadlittle effect on performance of nursery pigs weighing greater than 10 lbat weaning. By the end of the trial (week 5), pigs weighing less than 10lb at weaning and receiving gel feeds (treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5) wereheavier than pigs receiving no gel feed. Pigs receiving the gel feedwith plasma and egg had numerically greater gains than those fedtreatments 2 and 3.

EXAMPLE 3

One hundred-ninety weanling barrows (MCG GPK 35 maternal) averaging 12.2lb body weight were used in a 35-day growth trial to evaluate the effecton performance of nursery pigs receiving a standard nursery program byfeeding a gel feed during the first week after weaning. At weaning, pigswere sorted by weight, and divided into eight weight groups (blocks) oftwenty or twenty five pigs per weight group. Four weight groups averaged10.6 lb (small reps) and four weight groups averaged 13.8 lb (largereps). Pigs within each weight block were allotted into five equalsubgroups (pens) of five or four pigs per pen (8 pens/treatment; 4 smallreps and 4 large reps/treatment). The number of pigs per pen within eachblock was kept constant. Dietary treatments were randomly assigned topens (subgroups) within each of the weight groups (blocks). Five dietarytreatments were evaluated during Phase 1 (day 1 to day 7 postweaning).Gels evaluated are described in the following table:

TABLE 9 Gel Type Gel A Gel B Gel C 1% Algin, 0.5% Algin, 0.5% Algin,Ingredient 75% H₂0 75% H₂O 62% H₂O LOL Starter Mineral PX₁ 0.0525 0.05250.0525 LOL Starter Vitamin PX₁ 0.0175 0.0175 0.0175 Dry Luctarom₂ 0.0750.075 0.075 Keltrol-Xanthan Gum₃ 0.2 0.2 0.0 Citric Acid Anhydrous 0.50.5 0.5 Manugel GMB-Alginate₄ 1 0.5 0.5 Sodium Hexametaphosphate 0.250.25 0.25 Feeding Oatmeal 9.2525 9.7525 14.09 Animal Plasma-Dried 3 34.5 Dried Whole Egg 1.5 1.5 2.25 Fructose 0 5.5875 5.6 DicalciumPhosphate 0.17 0.17 0.17 Salt 0.1 0.1 0.1 Sucrose 5.5875 0 5.6 AnimalFat 0.75 0.75 1.25 Water 75 75 62.5 Choline Chloride 60% 0.025 0.0250.025 Copper Sulfate 0.02 0.02 0.02 Fumaric Acid 1 1 1 Potassium Sorbate1 1 1 Propionic Acid 0.5 0.5 0.5 ₁Land O'Lakes, Inc., Arden Hills, MN₂Lucta, S.A., Spain ³Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO ₄InternationalSpecialty Products, Wayne, New Jersey

The gel feeds described in Table 9 were mixed using the batch process asdescribed in Example 2. The dry pelleted feeds, Lean Metrics Infant,Lean Metrics Junior, and Lean Metrics Senior are commercially availablepelleted feed formulated for feeding to pigs according to their ages(days of treatment) described in Table 10.

TABLE 10 Treatment Description^(a) Treatment Treatment TreatmentTreatment 2 3 4 5 Gel A Gel B Gel C Gel A Treatment (75% H₂O) (75% H₂O)(62% H₂O) (75% H₂O) 1 Plasma + egg Plasma + egg Plasma + egg Plasma +egg Control 1% Algin 0.5% Algin 0.5% Algin 1% Algin No Gel (7 days) (7days) (7 days) (3 days) Days 1-7 Pellets: Lean I I I I I Metrics Infant(I) Days 7-21 Pellets: Lean J J J J J Metrics Junior (J) Days 21-35Pellets: Lean S S S S S Metrics Senior (S) ^(a)Lean Metrics Infant, LeanMetrics Junior, and Lean Metrics Senior are dry pelleted feedformulations from Purina Mills, LLC of St. Louis, MO.

Pigs had ad libitum access to pelleted diets in metal feeders which werelocated on pen gates on treatments 1 to 4. Gel diets were fed in roundcreep feeders (added to each pen) to pigs on treatments 2, 3 and 4 ondays 1 to 3 post weaning. On days 4-7, a combination of gel plus dryfeed was offered in creep feeders to pigs in treatments 2-4. 0.1, 0.5, 1and 1 lb of dry feed per lb of gel was added to the creep feeders ondays 4, 5, 6, and 7, respectively. Pigs on treatment 5 were fed gel onlyin the metal feeders on the pen gates on days 1 to 2. On day 3, 1 lb ofdry feed per lb of gel was added and offered in the metal feeder on thepen gate. On day 4 through the remainder of the study only dry feed wasoffered in the metal feeder on the pen gate.

Pig body weight and feed intake (pellet) were determined at initiation,days 7, 14, 21, and 35 post weaning to evaluate average daily gain(ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed:gain ratio. Gel intakewas measured during the first week post weaning. In addition, fecalcolor and consistency scores were taken twice a week.

Data was analyzed as a randomized complete block design with the pen asthe experimental unit and block based on initial body weight. Theeffects of initial weight (small and large), rep (size), gel type, andinitial weight×gel type were evaluated.

During the first week postweaning, no significant differences (P>0.10)were observed in ADG among treatment groups. Numeric improvements,however, were observed in ADG by supplementing the gel to weanling pigs.The greatest effect was observed with the smallest pigs. Pigs weighingless than 10.6 lb on average (9 to12 lb) and fed the gel containing 75%water and 0.5% alginate (treatment 3) had numerically greater ADG thanpigs fed the gel containing 62% water and 0.5% algin (treatment 4). Thebiggest pigs (weighing 13.8 lb on average, 12 to 17 lb), however, grewbetter when fed the gel containing 62% water than when fed the gelcontaining 75% water. In addition, pigs offered the gel in the regularfeeders for the first three days after weaning had numerically greaterADG than those offered the gel in the creep feeders. This was probablydue to greater consumption of dry feed by pigs offered the gel in theregular feeder for only three days and then followed by just dry feed inthe regular feeders.

During week 2, week 3, and overall, the smallest pigs supplemented withthe gel continued to have numerically greater ADG than those notsupplemented with the gel. By day 35 postweaning, the smallest pigs ontreatment 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 0.86, 1.53, 2.01, and 3.43 lb heavier,respectively than those no receiving the gel (treatment 1).

As expected, during week 1, pigs on treatment 5 (received gel for only 3days) consumed less gel (P<0.05) but consumed more dry feed from theregular feeder (P<0.05) than pigs on treatment 2, 3, and 4. Pigs ontreatment 5 consumed similar amounts of dry feed as those on treatment 1(control). Pigs on treatment 2, 3, and 4 had greater pellet intake perday than those in treatment 1 or treatment 5. This may be a reflectionof some feed wastage when pellets were mixed with the gel since pelletintake per day from the regular feeder was lower (P<0.05) in pigs fedtreatment 2, 3, and 4 compared with pellet intake of pigs on treatment 1and 5. During week 2, the smallest pigs receiving the gel hadnumerically greater (no statistically significant) pellet intake thanthose not receiving the gel.

During the first week postweaning, pigs on treatment 2, 3, and 4 hadgreater (P<0.05) feed:gain ratio than pigs on treatment 1 or treatment5. This is probably an indication of feed wastage when the pellets weremixed with gel. During week 2, pigs in treatment 5 utilized feed moreefficiently than those in treatment 2. No significant differences(P>0.1) were observed in feed:gain ratio during week 3 or week 3 to 5among treatment groups.

The results of this study indicate that feeding a gel containing plasmaand egg during the first week after weaning improved performance ofnursery pigs weighing between 9 to 12 lb at weaning, but had littleeffect on performance of nursery pigs weighing between 12 to 17 lb atweaning. Similar to previous experiments, gel supplementation during thefirst week after weaning had a carry-over effect through the rest of thenursery period and had the greatest effect in the smallest reps of pigs.By day 35 postweaning, the smallest reps of pigs on treatment 2(plasma:egg gel with 75% water and 1% alginate), treatment 3 (plasma:egggel with 75% water and 0.5% algin), treatment 4 (plasma:egg gel with 62%water and 0.5% alginate), and treatment 5 (as treatment 2, but gel wasoffered in regular feeder for only 3 day) were 0.86, 1.53, 2.01, and3.43 lb heavier, respectively than those no receiving the gel (treatment1).

EXAMPLE 4

Fifty four weanling pigs (MCG) averaging 7.5 lb bodyweight were used ina 40-day growth trial to evaluate the effect of feeding a gel with orwithout flavor on performance of nursery pigs receiving a standardnursery feeding program. At weaning, pigs were sorted by weight, anddivided into six weight groups (blocks) of nine pigs per weight group.Dietary treatments were randomly assigned to pens (subgroups) withineach of the weight groups (blocks). Three dietary treatments wereevaluated during Phase 1 (day 1 to day 7 postweaning): 1) control (nogel), 2) a gel containing flavor, and 3) a gel without flavor.

The gel feeds (plasma and egg) were mixed using the batch process asdescribed in Example 2. The dry pelleted feeds, Lean Metrics Premier,Lean Metrics Infant, Lean Metrics Junior, and Lean Metrics Senior arecommercially available pelleted feed formulated for feeding to pigsaccording to their ages (days of treatment) described in Table 11.

TABLE 11 Treatment Description^(a) Treatment 1 Control Treatment 2Treatment 3 No Gel Gel with flavor Gel without flavor Days 1-7 Pellets:Lean P P P Metrics Premier (P) Days 7-14 Pellets: Lean I I I MetricsInfant (I) Days 14-28 Pellets: Lean J J J Metrics Junior (J) Days 28-40Pellets: Lean S S S Metrics Senior (S) ^(a)Lean Metrics Premier, LeanMetrics Infant, Lean Metrics Junior, and Lean Metrics Senior are drypelleted feed formulations from Purina Mills, LLC of St. Louis, MO.

Pigs had ad libitum access to pelleted diets in metal feeders which werelocated on pen gates. Gel diets were fed in round creep feeders (addedto each pen) to pigs on treatments 2 and 3 on days 1 to 3 post weaning.On days 4-7, a combination of gel plus dry feed was offered in creepfeeders to pigs in treatments 2 and 3. 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 1 lb of dry feedper lb of gel was added to the creep feeders on days 4, 5, 6, and 7respectively. Pig body weight and feed intake (pellet) were determinedat initiation, days 7, 14, 28, and 40 post weaning to evaluate averagedaily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed:gain ratio.Gel intake was measured during the first week post weaning.

Data was analyzed as a randomized complete block design with the pen asthe experimental unit and block based on initial body weight.

During the first week postweaning, pigs fed the gel with or withoutflavor had greater (P<0.05) ADG than pigs not receiving gel, and pigsfed the gel with flavor had greater ADG than those fed the gel withoutflavor. Pigs fed the gel with flavor consumed greater amounts of gelthan those fed the gel without flavor. Similarly, pigs fed the gels hadnumerically greater pellet intake than those not receiving the gel. Byday 40 postweaning, pigs on treatment 2 (gel with flavor) and treatment3 (gel without flavor) were 2.1 and 1.8 lb heavier, respectively thanthose not receiving the gel (treatment 1; Table 12).

TABLE 12 Performance of pigs fed a gel with our without flavor^(a) GelGel without Control with Flav Flav SEM Day 0 to 40 ADG, lb 0.857 0.9060.898 0.026 Pellet intake, lb per day 1.07 1.10 1.15 0.034 Gel intake,lb per day 0 0.328 0.185 0.043 Initial Weight 7.54 7.55 7.54 0.01 Weightday 40 41.7 43.8 43.5 1.06 ^(a)Six pens per treatment and 3 pigs per pen(5.8-9.7 lb beginning weight, 9 to 14 day of age).

EXAMPLE 5

A trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding a gel (plasmaand egg) three days prior to weaning and seven days postweaning onperformance of nursery pigs. Ten litters received the gel in thefarrowing crate on creep feeders or in a matt for 3 days prior toweaning. At weaning, 1/3 of each litter received the feeding programdescribed in Table 13 for treatment 1, 1/3 received the feeding programdescribed for treatment 2, and 1/3 received the feeding programdescribed for treatment 3. A total of 90 weanling pigs averaging 10.9 lbwere used. Only pigs in treatment 3 received gel in the nursery and werefed in round pan type creep feeders added to each pen. On day 4, 0.5pounds of dry feed per pound of gel was added. On days 5, 6, and 7, 1pound of dry feed per pound of gel was added.

The gel feeds (plasma and egg) were mixed using the batch process asdescribed in Example 2. The dry pellet feeds are commercially availablepellet feed formulated for feeding to pigs according to their ages (daysof treatment) as described in Table 13.

TABLE 13 (Ration Use)^(a) Treatment 1 2 3 Gel in Farrowing Gel Gel Gel(plasma + egg) (plasma + egg) (plasma + egg) Gel in Nursery (day 1-7)Gel No gel No gel (plasma + egg) Dry Diets TW Program UC Program UCProgram Day 1-7   UWP UC200 UC200 Day 7-14  LWT UC240 UC240 Day 14-28TWPH2 UC400 UC400 Day 28-39 TWPH3 UC500 UC500 ^(a)Ultra Wean Plus (UWP),Litter Wean Transition (LWT), Top Wean Phase 2 (TWPH2), Top Wean Phase 3(TWPH3), Ultra Care 200 (UC200), Ultra Care 240 (UC240), Ultra Care 400(UC400), and Ultra Care 500 (UC500) are dry pelleted feed formulationsfrom Land O'Lakes Farmland Feed, LLC.

Data was analyzed as a randomized complete block design with the pen asthe experimental unit and block based on initial body weight.

During the first week postweaning, pigs fed the gel three days prior toweaning (farrowing crates) and in the nursery (treatment 3) had greater(P<0.05) ADG than pigs receiving the gel only in the farrowing crate (nogel in the nursery, treatment 1 and treatment 2). During day 0 to 28postweaning, pigs receiving treatment 3 continued to have greater ADG(P<0.10) and ADFI (P<0.05) than pigs receiving dietary treatment 2(Table 14). During the overall 39-day trial, pigs receiving treatment 3had greater ADFI (P<0.05) than those receiving treatment 2.

TABLE 14 Performance per day 0 to 39 Postweaning^(a) Ultra Top WeanUltra Care Care + gel SEM Day 0 to 28 ADG, lb per day 0.894^(de)0.866^(d) 0.912^(e) 0.015 ADFI, lb per day 1.05^(bc) 0.98^(d) 1.13^(c)0.02 Day 0 to 39 ADG, lb per day 1.02 1.03 1.06 0.018 ADFI, lb per day1.29^(b) 1.27^(b) 1.38^(c) 0.015 Pig weight, lb Initial 11.03 10.9410.95 0.05 Day 7  13.73^(b) 13.56^(b) 14.28^(c) 0.16 Day 28 36.00^(de)35.2^(d) 36.5^(e) 0.44 Day 39 50.8 51.3 52.1 0.71 ^(a)Six pens pertreatment and 5 pigs per pen (10.9 lb beginning weight). ^(bc)Means inthe same row with different superscript differ (P < 0.05) ^(de)Means inthe same row with different superscript differ (P < 0.10)

1-54. (canceled)
 55. A method of making a livestock feed for piglets,the method comprising: forming a feed mixture by mixing feed nutrientcomponents, a gelling agent, a calcium component insoluble in water or asequestrate to inhibit the calcium component from reacting with thegelling agent wherein a pH during mixing of the feed nutrient componentsis about 6.0 or greater, wherein the gelling agent comprises agar,alginate, carrageenan, gum Arabic, ghatti, tragacanth, pectin, guar,Gelan, Carboxy Methylcellulose or locust bean gum; and once the feedmixture is formed, solubilizing the calcium component or removing thesequestrate's effect on the reactivity between the gelling agent and thecalcium component such that a gel feed is formed comprising a gel matrixcontaining the entire feed mixture, wherein the feed nutrient componentscomprise about 2 to 25% protein, about 3 to 40% carbohydrate, and about0 to 10% fat.
 56. The method of claim 55, wherein the feed nutrientcomponents include water as a major component.
 57. The method of claim55, wherein the feed nutrient components further comprise about 25 to90% water.
 58. The method of claim 55, wherein solubilizing the calciumcomponent involves adding an acid or an acidulent to the feed mixture tolower the pH.
 59. The method of claim 58, wherein the acid comprisescitric acid, fumaric acid, propionic acid or any combination thereof.60. The method of claim 58, wherein sufficient acid or acidulent isadded to lower the pH to at least about 4.5 or below.
 61. The method ofclaim 55, wherein the calcium component comprises a calcium salt. 62.The method of claim 61, wherein the calcium salt comprises dicalciumphosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate, calcium iodate, calciumsulfate or any combination thereof.
 63. The method of claim 61, whereinthe calcium salt becomes soluble and reactive with the gelling agent ata selected pH and the pH of the feed mixture is lowered to or below theselected pH.
 64. The method of claim 55, wherein forming the feedmixture comprises adding antibiotics or chemotherapeutics.
 65. Themethod of claim 55, wherein the feed nutrient components comprise aprotein derived from blood in the form of blood plasma or blood serum.66. The method of claim 55, wherein the feed nutrient components aresufficient for piglets during weaning or immediately after weaning orboth.
 67. The method of claim 55, wherein the gel feed as formed is thenfed to piglets, with the piglets being fed the gel feed during weaning.68. The method of claim 67, wherein said piglets are weaned by feedingthem the gel feed containing the nutrients for at least seven daysdirectly after weaning.
 69. The method of claim 55, wherein the gum ispectin or carrageenan.